Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait warned the Indian government that they will not allow trials of genetically modified (GM) mustard proposed by the central government.
He was addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat near Ghungroo intersection of Jhalwa in Prayagraj.
“The ministry of science and technology has approved the trial of GM mustard. Preparations are being made to conduct trials at two places, Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. We will not allow the trial, neither in Uttar Pradesh nor in Rajasthan,” Rakesh Tikait said.
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said that there was no reason why the GM mustard should be allowed into the country after objections from scientists from several countries. He said “when something is banned in the whole world, we have the reports of 400 scientists, we have the bad results of Bt cotton cultivation, so what is the need for the Government of India that It should allow cultivation of GM mustard. Is there a shortage of mustard in the country? We will not allow trials of GM mustard anywhere in the country.”
“Is there a shortage of mustard in the country?” Rakesh Tikait asked.
Tikait claimed there will not be a dearth of crops if the government gives farmers the right price for their produce.
“You give the (right) price, the farmer will produce it and give it. In the coming time, the law of seeds will also come into effect in the country. Preparations are underway to give the right to make seeds to outside companies. Seed stations will be opened in the country and farmers who illegally sow seeds of companies will be fined and punished. Our agitation against all these things will continue,” he said.